What are you reading, Hyderabad?

Hyderabad's community of readers — from serious literature lovers to those seeking self-help — engage with books through meet-ups across the city. Some book clubs are Read A Kitaab, Happy Hyderabad, Spreading Light Tarnaka and Vedika

This June, Read a Kitaab celebrates a year of encouraging the act of reading in Hyderabad. The group meets on the second Sunday of every month at Lamakaan, from 10.30am to 1pm, to discuss and exchange ideas about books.

It all began when Mumbai-based Ekta Bhandari launched Read a Kitaab, an online community on Clubhouse, a social networking platform, during the lockdown in 2020. “The online sessions covered books, tips on improving vocabulary and reading skills,” explains Avinash Denduluri, who facilitates the Hyderabad chapter. Buoyed by its response, the community continued, with physical meet-ups in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad; one chapter was launched even in Tokyo two months ago.

While Read a Kitaab’s online and offline book-related activities include discussions on various topics — like how readers shape the world, favourite murder mysteries and books while growing up — hosting author meetups on Instagram, and organising reading retreats (this year’s retreat is scheduled to take place in August at Varanasi) are its other activities.

At the Hyderabad chapter meet-ups, book lovers share their stories. “Doctors, astrophysicists and cyber security people have conversations on a wide range of topics. This exchange of ideas and viewpoints helps us to listen and understand multiple perspectives,” says Avinash, a writer and documentary filmmaker. These Sunday meet-ups have forged new friendships too as members hang out together post-session, to play board games or plan an evening out at KBR Park.

If you are happy and you know... read a book, says ‘Hyderabad Bicycle Mayor’ Santhana Selvan giving his spin to the popular nursery rhyme. Happy Hyderabad, a community-building initiative, comprises groups with varied interests, such as books, movies and bikes. “We want to spread happiness through different activities like running, cycling, jogging and walking as well as being associated with books. The intent is to engage people and keep up the happiness quotient,” says Selvan.

The book club launched in September 2020 meets on the second Saturday of every month, mostly at cafes for the perfect book and coffee combination. Members discuss their recent reads in English, Telugu, Hindi and Oriya, and explain why they recommend a particular book.

The club’s core members include cardiac surgeon Dr Hemant Kumar, owner of Century Hospital. The sessions are designed to accommodate book enthusiasts and do not follow a discuss-a-particular book schedule. “This is deliberate,” says Selvan, adding, “Many people like to read but may not have the time for it. We do not want to give them ‘homework’ and intimidate readers. We hope to be an inclusive group for different kinds of readers.”